• Shop Slow is a sustainable fashion boutique and sewing studio in Austin, Texas, co-founded by Mikaela Friedman and Rebecca Wright. It offers ethically made clothing from over 30 independent designers, alongside workshops focused on upcycling, sewing, and sustainability. Shop Slow fosters a community centered around slow fashion, hosting events like the Slow Fashion Festival to advocate for mindful consumption and a circular approach to fashion. The space empowers individuals to learn, create, and make more conscious choices, challenging the fast fashion industry and promoting lasting change.

  • Slow fashion is a movement that promotes mindful consumption by focusing on high-quality, ethically produced clothing and reducing waste. It’s about making intentional purchases and valuing sustainability over fast, disposable trends.

  • Yes! We offer custom-made clothing created from existing textiles. Our designs are unique and focus on sustainability, using upcycled materials. You can learn more here.

  • You can see a full breakdown of our design process here.

    We used as many second hand materials as possible in our build-out!

shop

slow

Welcome to Shop Slow, an experimental space where fashion meets art, sustainability, and community in an ever-evolving dialogue. More than a retail store, it's a living project and an ongoing exploration of how we can reimagine consumption, craftsmanship, and creativity.

At the intersection of slow fashion, upcycled handmade clothing, and artistic expression, we curate a collection of locally made, ethically produced garments. Our immersive workshops invite you to deconstruct, upcycle, and re-envision your wardrobe.

Here, fashion isn't just something you wear; it's a medium for personal transformation and collective collaboration. This is a space to question, create, and redefine what fashion can be.

a sustainable fashion experiment 

workshops ✿

workshops ✿

At Shop Slow, we believe that education is the foundation of change. Our sustainability-focused classes empower our community with practical skills like mending, sewing, and natural dyeing, encouraging a deeper connection to the items we wear and use every day. By teaching these hands-on skills, we aim to inspire a more circular lifestyle, reduce waste, and help others reimagine their role in creating a sustainable future.

  • January 2025

    • Jan. 18 & 19: Take Care Of The Things You Already Have: An Upcycling Class for People Who Want to Learn How to Sew and Look Good Doing It

    December 2024

    • Dec. 7: Sewing Machine 101: Tote Bag & Scrunchie! (Inglés y Español)

    • Dec. 8: Cyanotype Workshop with Harmony Jordan

    • Dec. 14: Hand Embroidery & Holiday: A Beginner Ornament Embroidery Workshop

    • Dec. 15: Intro to Sewing Machines: Patchwork Wall Hanging

    November 2024

    • Nov. 9 & 10: Take Care Of The Things You Already Have: An Upcycling Class for People Who Want to Learn How to Sew and Look Good Doing It

    October 2024

    • Oct. 12: Threads & Totes: A Beginner Hand Embroidery Workshop

    • Oct. 13: Cyanotype Workshop with Harmony Jordan

    • Oct. 19: Learn to Use Your Sewing Machine: Let’s Make a Patchwork Scrunchie! (Inglés y Español)

    • Oct. 20: Hand Embroidery Upcycling Workshop

    • Oct. 29: Cyanotype Workshop with Harmony Jordan

    September 2024

    • Sept. 14 & 15: Take Care Of The Things You Already Have: An Upcycling Class for People Who Want to Learn How to Sew and Look Good Doing It

    • Sept. 29: Cyanotype Workshop with Harmony Jordan

    July 2024

    • July 7: Freaker by the Sneaker: BYO Sneaker Customization Workshop

    • July 13: Maximizing Your Wardrobe: A Personal Style Workshop with Kasi of Peahen Studio

    • July 14: Jewelry Repair 101with Melissa Pierce

    • July 27: Intro to Hand-Stitched Appliqué with Sloane Lenz

    • July 28: Intro to Metal Work with Melissa Pierce

    June 2024

    • June 8: Soul Studio Ice-Dying Workshop

    • June 9: DIY Screen Printing with Mikaela Friedman

    • June 15: Mending Workshop with Rebecca Wright of Psychic Outlaw

    • June 16: Sashiko: Strengthening the Fabric

    • June 21: After-Hours: Poetry & Collage Workshop

    • June 22: Intro to Embroidery with Sloane Lenz

    • June 23: Stencil & Spray Bleach Modification for Beginners

    • June 29: Intro to Sewing: Let’s Make a Pillowcase!

    • June 30: Threads & Totes: A Beginner Hand Embroidery Workshop

    May 2024

    • May 3: Pocket Alter Workshop

    • May 11: Dyeing with Indigo

    • May 18: Sewing Machine Basics

    • May 19: Underwear to Dye For: An Immersive Workshop on Local Natural Fibers, Dyes, & Compostable Textiles!

    • May 19: Mending with Photograms

    • May 25: DIY Screen Printing with Mikaela Friedman

    April 2024

    • April 6: Mini-Quilt Wall Hanging Workshop (Upcycle Edition)

    • April 7: Mending with Embellishments Workshop with Courtney Keville

    • April 14: Threads & Totes: A Beginner Hand Embroidery Workshop

    • April 20: Intro to Embroidery with Sloane Lenz

    • April 28: DIY Screen Printing with Mikaela Friedman

    March 2024

    • March 9: Mini-Quilt Wall Hanging Workshop (Upcycle Edition)

    • March 24: Cyanotype Upcycling Workshop with Allison Lash

    • March 29: Community Mending Workshop with Rebecca Wright of Psychic Outlaw

    • March 30: Community Mending Workshop with Rebecca Wright of Psychic Outlaw

    • March 31: Community Mending Workshop with Rebecca Wright of Psychic Outlaw

    February 2024

    • Feb. 10: Mending Class at Shop Slow

    • Feb. 11: Community Mending Workshop with Rebecca Wright of Psychic Outlaw

    • Feb. 17: Community Mending Workshop with Rebecca Wright of Psychic Outlaw

    • Feb. 18: Community Mending Workshop with Rebecca Wright of Psychic Outlaw

    • Feb. 11: Love-Themed Embroidery and Embellishment Workshop with Courtney Keville

    January 2024

    Jan. 21: Community Mending Workshop with Rebecca Wright of Psychic Outlaw

48

Number of workshops Mikaela hosted at Shop Slow between January 2024 and January 2025

25

Local Artists, Makers, and Creators who led workshops at Shop Slow

506

Austinites who have attended classes, community events & more!

custom clothes ✿

custom clothes ✿

At Shop Slow, we see custom clothing as a way to honor individuality while embracing sustainability. By transforming existing textiles into one-of-a-kind garments, we celebrate creativity, reduce waste, and help our community step away from mass production. Each piece tells a story, crafted with care and designed to reflect the unique style of its wearer, proving that fashion can be both personal and planet-friendly.

independent designers ✿

independent designers ✿

Supporting independent designers is at the core of what we do at Shop Slow. By providing a platform for local creatives to showcase their work, we uplift the artistry, craftsmanship, and innovation that often go overlooked in fast fashion. We’re committed to creating a space where designers can thrive, connect with a community that values their vision, and grow sustainably. Together, we’re building a future where creativity and conscious design take center stage.